My research primarily involves the use of X-ray computerized tomography to visualize and describe vertebrate cranial morphology. A particular focus of my investigations has been on patterns of evolutionary and ontogenetic variation in the Tapiroidea (Mammalia: Perissodactyla). Other research directions that I have pursued involve establishing methodologies for characterizing and interpreting developmental sequences, and the use of HRXCT to document the taphonomic history of vertebrate skulls.

Ladavèze, S., C. de Muizon, Matthew Colbert, T. Smith. 2010. 3D computational imaging of the petrosal of a new multituberculate mammal from the Late Cretaceous of China and its paleobiologic inferences. Comptes Rendus Palevol 9:283-287.

Colbert, M., and Racicot, R. 2008. The cranial endocast of a new fossil porpoise (Odontoceti: Phocoenidae) from the Pliocene of San Diego, California. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 28(3 Supplement), 65A.

Colbert, M.W., and R.A. Racicot. 2007. Morphology and variation of cranial endocasts in true porpoises (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) based on high-resolution X-ray CT scans. In: Abstracts of the 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Cape Town, South Africa.

Colbert, M., and J. Eberle. 2007. The skull of Thuliadanta, a surprisingly derived tapiroid from the Early Eocene (Wasatchian) of the Canadian high arctic, as revealed by high-resolution CT scanning. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27(3 Supplement):60A.

Solounias, N. and M.W. Colbert. 2001. Reconstruction of the narial cavity of Merychippus insignis and comparisons with the modern horse, Equus caballus. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 21(supplement to Number 3): 103A.

Colbert, M.W. 1991. A reassessment of tapiroid phylogeny: implications of a new species of Eocene "tapir" from San Diego County, California. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 11(Supplement to Number 3): 23A.

INVITED LECTURES and OUTREACH

Colbert, M., and K. Abbott. 2011. Assessing age and maturity in tapirs based on dental eruption and suture closure. Fifth International Tapir Symposium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.